whom mockery and abuse issue (27:28). The tongue is a danger greater than the sword, and whoever is enslaved by it will find it "sent out against them like a lion" (28:18-23). Finally, one who is a "faultfinder" (fantasiokotwn) with

his household is as dangerous as a lion in his home (4:30).250

Wisdom of Solomon Wisdom of Solomon is the only example of wisdom litera- ture which had its origin in the diaspora. Most likely it is of Egyptian provenance, probably Alexandria, from the late pre-Christian era.251 The Hellenistic influences on the writer are palpable, yet he is just as clearly Jewish.252

250 4:29 speaks of one who is "reckless in speech" (qrasus en glwss^) and may, therefore, orient the lion- faultfinder of v. 30 toward the dangers of speech. It seems, however, that 4:20-5:3 is a series of independent admoni- tions, each dealing with various ways of avoiding evil and shame (4:20). If this analysis be correct then the lion- faultfinder of 4:30 ought to be perceived apart from the reckless speaking of 4:29; both are simply shameful evils against which Sirach warns.